KONG Land: 2023 Year In Review
Innovation Thrives In Bearish Times
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The last year was undeniably a year for innovation at KONG Land, marked by substantial advancements in our secure chip offerings, key collaborations, and new initiatives that further bridge the digital and physical worlds.
Arx Research Goes Online
Arx Research, the main manufacturing hub for KONG Land and the creator of secure chips and protocols, launched its website at arx.org. HaLo chips are now available for direct order from the site, and those interested in building with them can find comprehensive documentation at docs.arx.org.
Arx’s Mirror post, ‘The Hidden Expiration Date in NFC Chipped Good,’ is essential for anyone exploring the intersection of digital and physical. The post delves into NFC and secure chip technologies, highlighting the limitations of traditional NFC tags and the enhanced capabilities of HaLo chips for creating durable digital identities for physical items.
Stay updated with the latest from Arx by following @arxresearch.
HaLo Chips: New Features and Form Factors
Halo chip technology saw notable advancements in 2023, introducing new features and form factors. The latest model of the HaLo chip has been upgraded for greater security and flexibility. Additionally, the range of form factors now extends beyond the standard round tag, including a hang tag, CR80 card, and wristband, to suit a broader array of use cases.
Tooling has also been significantly improved, making the ‘minting’ process for chip integrators more streamlined. These enhancements have made it easier to link content like images and videos with chips. The chip scanning experience for end-users has also been refined, allowing for increased customization.
Finally, we saw a zk-optimized HaLo prototype manufactured in collaboration with the Ethereum Foundation to support their recently launched Jubmojis — scannable cards linked to digital collectibles representing a physical interaction.
ERS Now On Testnet
The Ethereum Reality Service, or ERS, is a groundbreaking set of smart contracts enabling decentralized authentication, claims, and redirection for secure chips like HaLos. Unofficially launched on Testnet late last year, and with a Mainnet launch slated for 2024, ERS is distinguished as the only decentralized solution of its kind. It facilitates the tracking of chip provenance throughout its lifecycle — from manufacturer enrollment, through distribution by brands/creators, to end-user authentication. This innovation empowers brands and creators to offer unique, decentralized experiences, moving away from traditional centralized authentication models and granting unprecedented control to end users. ERS represents a significant shift in how digital-physical interactions are authenticated and managed.
Learn more about ERS at ers.to.
Integrations and Partnerships Galore
We saw a wave of exciting integrations in 2023 featuring high-profile collaborations with brands like Azuki, Coolcats x Macy’s, and Nouns.
A notable highlight was the Azuki ‘Mind of Gus’ vinyl toy. Faced with the challenge of chip placement for optimal scanning, the Azuki team cleverly adapted Gus’ design, making its hat removable to reveal a HaLo chip that could be scanned for a limited edition NFT.
The innovation didn’t stop there. We witnessed an expansion in the creative applications of HaLo chips, ranging from the unique chipped vinyl records by On-Chain Records to artistic frame integrations in ThankYouX’s ‘inertia’ show, enabled by Transient Labs and hosted by Sotheby’s, the innovative inclusion of HaLo chips in Raid Brood’s barrel-aged ‘Blood of Moloch’ beer, and even a leap into literature with ‘A Coffee with Satoshi’ by Paradigma Education. Each project underscores the flexible and imaginative potential of HaLo chips in seamlessly connecting the digital and physical worlds.
Partnerships with web3 trailblazers such as Azuki, IYK, Dopamine, and Transient Labs have been instrumental in broadening the reach and application of HaLo chip technology. While these collaborations often involve custom branding of HaLo chips to fit project identities, the core secure chip technology remains a unique innovation proudly developed in and exported by KONG Land.
2023 unequivocally showcased the adaptability of HaLo chips, paving the way for their integration into an increasingly diverse range of digital-physical products.
KONG Leads Digital/Physical Innovation
KONG Land continues to lead the intersection of the digital and physical, as highlighted in the research conducted by Messari (top) and 1k(x) — (left, right).
Our contributions — embedding digital identities into physical items, thus enabling provenance and new distribution methods — are central to this evolving sector. Messari’s research emphasizes our impact in extending the lifecycle of products through on-chain capabilities, and we’re proud to be at the forefront, driving innovation and fostering new connections between creators and audiences in this hybrid space.
At ETHDenver 2023, KONG Land further established its leadership in digital-physical innovation, with Arx Research CEO, Cameron Robertson, moderating a key panel. He was joined by Chris Lee from IYK, Mark Shekleton of SmartSeal, and Rebekah Keida of Vysical. Their discussion, ‘The Dawn of the Physical Backed Token,’ explored using NFC and secure chips to link physical assets with blockchain, the challenges of implementing such technologies, the need for standardization, and the importance of authenticity verification.
KONG Land Welcomes Green Card Holders
While full citizenship can still be obtained by acquiring a $CITIZEN token, citizens voted to introduce ‘Green Card’ tokens, granting newcomers a special privilege window into KONG Land, capped at two years. Physical Green Cards were also manufactured, allowing holders to scan the card to receive their Green Card token. Initially distributed at ETHIstanbul last November, these Green Cards symbolize a commitment to expanding our vibrant community of builders and creators. We plan to distribute many more Green Cards at various events this year.
Learn more about our experimental cryptostate at KONG.Land.
Anticipating 2024 — A Year of Expansion and Experimentation
Innovating in bearish times has laid a solid foundation for a new year of growth and exploration. With an increased focus on hackathons this year, we anticipate an environment ripe for experimentation, creative problem-solving, and greater community engagement, catalyzing new ideas and collaborations.
On one last final innovation note, watch for an intriguing new project from Arx Research. Tackling the challenges of hardware wallets, they’re hinting at something big with their recent tweet. Be sure to sign up for notifications on what they’ve got cooking at burnyourwallet.com.
Thank you for being a part of this remarkable journey, and here’s to an even more innovative and collaborative 2024!
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